Wednesday, 23 August 2017

Iron & Wine - Beast Epic, album review

Call it Hummin'

I confess I can’t write much about this album other than to
compliment it for its consistent pleasantness. These are essentially folk songs
– ‘indie folk’ as some, or one perhaps, review/s describe it, and I don’t know
how that defines it any more precisely. It is current folk, yes, but that has
such an established lineage I don’t know if it warrants such a qualifying in the
way ‘rock’ folk would be a clear distinction.

I wander. Some track are a little oblique, like Last Night which is lightly and
playfully plucking its way through difference, but overall, as with third Bitter Truth and fourth Song in Stone [tiny echo of Nick Drake
in songcraft rather than vocal] and fifth Summer
Clouds that genuinely soothes, these are pleasant and peaceful ruminations
on aspects of living* [what else] and dressed prettily in harmony.

I have been more intrigued by the reviews. The balance, of
those I have read, is probably more critical than supportive, The Guardian not raving but warmly
liking; the Evening Standard having a
nice line in dismissal: Overall, it’s
like discovering there’s another micro-brewed IPA in the world.

There won’t always be an apocalypse with a new release, and
familiarity can, if it tries, breed a less exaggerated response.

*here’s an example from Call
it Dreaming, and no, I don’t really know what it means, but I do think it
reveals the problem of forcing a rhyme:

About Me

This blog is essentially for music reviews, including live gigs. Frequently heavy on 60s/70s nostalgia, the time of my musical growing-up, there is also an eclectic and contemporary range. In addition I fuel a commitment to posting themed album covers for the simple challenge and fun of it - as I've started, I'll keep going. Enjoy.